PAUL MURPHY PRESENTS: COPA SALVO

JAZZ ROOM RECORDS – JAZZR 040

Fom the Sleevenotes by Paul Murphy: Jazz Room Records:

"I took a trip to the If Music Store, 2nd Floor, above the paint shop and that got me hooked on the sound of COPA SALVO.

"You NEED this!" said Jean-Claude. "They're an amazing and unique Jazzy Combo from Japan!" But at the time I was stuck in some dead end Gulag job getting things together for the launch of a record label idea I'd been working on and the bobs were just not in abundance. Especially in the part of the wallet marked "Japanese Vinyl Import Department". But he gave it a spin and I was pretty much hooked from that day on.

Things soon looked up though and the next sighting of COPA SALVO was on the BBE Records release: A Journey Into Deep Jazz Vol. 3 (Compiled by that very same Jean-Claude!) which featured COPA SALVO - Hasta La Victria Siempre, a pounding piano driven homage to Fidel which incidentally is one of the featured numbers of the album that is soon to be released on Jazz Room Records.

I kept looking for more COPA SALVO as I was really intrigued by the sound they produced and, over a period of time I managed to obtain nearly all of their sparse catalogue. Once Jazz Room Records had started to get established and the release of the Colin Curtis Presents: indigo jam unit compilation had been a success I thought "Time for COPA SALVO to make their Jazz Room debut!"

This Jazz Room Records Compilation will feature their unique and highly original compositions which are an energetic meltdown of Funk, J-Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Boogaloo and range from the Heavy Latin Jazz Vibes of Bolivia 67 to the Kung Fu '70's sound of Tong King Rock with a journey that takes in an Eastern Folktale and a Jump Up Life along the way."

Vocal/Guiro : Tadahiro Masuda

Piano : Eri Konishi

Bass : Hironori Kobayashi

Percussion : Yo Sato

Percussion : Pyon Nakajima

Timbales/Drum : Peach Iwasaki

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A strikingly unique dance music project from Nagasaki producer, DJ and sound director Keisuke Yamazoe, Aflex Combo has always been an impressive project, straddling several EPs stretching back to 2002 - and all centring, in the artist's own words, on heavy funk beats and obscure jazz and Latin grooves. Jazz Room Records are pleased to release this special cover of the underground club classic "Hibaros" originally by B&G Rhythm (Donny Beck & Steve Gutierrez and featuring Bobby Lyle!) and after one listen you will agree that this is a must-check 45! Over on the flip is "Something Special", a Latin-tinged jazz-funk number that's every bit as essential as the floor rocking A-side.

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Big thanks to a certain Mr. Gilles Peterson who first alerted Paul Murphy, Head of Jazz Room Records to this Spiritual Jazz meets Bebop gem when he played the track "I've Known Rivers" on his show on BBC6 MUSIC. Paul immediately took steps to contact Mr. Noviello with a view to release this previously unknown (to him anyway) hidden delight. It's Frank Noviello's debut album and a mixed bag of Jazz Standards and highly original covers and originals. Randy Westons's "High Fly" has a really grooving arrangement, Vocal Bebop in the original "Tribal Dance" and the highlight in the Gary Bartz/Langston Hughes Spiritual Jazz outing "I've Known Rivers". If you're known to glide in and around to that Mark Murphy bag then this is hip to the trip for you!

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THE legendary release by Ronnie April's Positive Energy, pressed by Ronnie on his own Jude imprint and distributed only locally by him without success, leading to the disappearance of all but a few copies. An impossibly rare holy grail which has changed hands in the past for as much as £300! "Snowflake" has been a stable of the jazzdance scene for years and the track was even bootlegged at one point! Most importantly, the music is amazing - composer, arranger, producer, saxophonist, clarinetist and flautist, Ronnie April has performed with many greats such as Tito Puente, Frank Foster, Nat Adderley, Lionel Hampton, and Louis Armstrong, to name a few. It's a limited pressing at 500 copies only.

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ALPHA RAY by The Norio Maeda Trio was originally released in the Swinging Sixties and this hot latin number was rediscovered by the Tokyo Hipsters at the height of the Acid Jazz Boom and became part of Shibuya Jazz Dance Folklore.

HAKUCHU NO SHUGEKI - THEME by Terumasa Hino Quintet is from a Japansploitation thriler made in 1970 with plenty of guns, gals, guys, sharpsuited action and gallons of studio blood! Mostly freeform blowing by the Legend that is Terumasa Hino for the soundtrack, one of the exceptions being this Blue Note Styled Soul Jazz number that sounds as if it came off the Van Gelder production line circa '66 to '71. Easily could be mistaken for Blue Mitchell, Donald Byrd or Freddie Hubbard's outputs post soul, pre-electric happenings. Another Jazz Room thing of beauty!

Now on 45 RPM release by Jazz Room Records, a 2 cut slab of wax that will have Jazzfloorista's waiting at the gate!

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Abacothozi were formed in 1973 by bassist Berthwel Maphumulo, formerly of the Elite Swingsters.

Together with Mac Mathunjwa on organ, his brother Innocent Mathunjwa on drums, and Joe Zikhali on guitar, they recorded at least two albums: "Thema Maboneng" released in 1975 and "Night in Pelican" released in 1976 (reissued on Matsuli Music Compilation "Night In Pelican"). These six sizzling tracks were originally recorded by West Nkosi for the Mavuthela label.

Released without fanfare and then forgotten, they remained totally unknown to DJs and clubgoers for over 40 years.

Rediscovered by Diggers Extraordinaire Kon & Amir for their much-lauded "Off Track Volume Two: Queens" (3xLP) on BBE Records and suddenly, a Volcanic Meltdown Frenzy for a Holiest of Grails emerged with sightings reported in hushed tones just in case you were beaten to the draw in some backstreet waxcave that someone foolishly whispered about on a social media site for all the world to see.

Now, Jazz Room Records is proud to release this epic fusion of sun-soaked exuberance, funk-infused rhythms and soul-jazz-driven beats for the first time in 50 years.

Sounding as if it were recorded yesterday, it is poised to light up dance floors again, from the Vibrant Streets of Soweto to the Funky Basement Dives of Barcelona, filling floors from the Outasite Getdown Grooves of Uncle Funks Palace to the Solid Soul Boulevards of Funky Broadway.

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Two fabulous funky tracks originally released on the award winning album Goma-Laca – Afrobrasilidades in 78 rpm which updated Brazilian Music originally recorded on 78's in the 1920s to the 1950s. With musical direction and arrangements by Letieres Leite, the vocal pyrotechnics of Russo Passapusso and Juçara Marçal masterfully accompanied by double bassist Marcos Paiva, Hercules Gomes on piano, Sergio Machado on drums and percussion master Gabi Guedes. Under the direction of Letieres, the group created with the singers arrangements of jazzy tones over Afro-Bahian rhythms, and everything was recorded live at Estúdio Traquitana, in São Paulo.

The version of Cala Menino Boca best known from the version by Joao Donato that's been doing the Dancefloor round since the early Acid Jazz days here gets a funky and rhodes led percussive update and of course the traditional tune "Ogum" gets a soulful jazz run through, folky funk like you've never heard before. This is yet another welcome addition to the Jazz Room canon, watch those dancefloors light up when this wax spins!

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Soul Jazz of the First Order from Robert Dubwise Browne with two epic takes on tunes that should be in every DJ's grab bag of goodies. Sun Goddess originally by Ramsey Lewis and written by Earth, Wind and Fire's Maurice White together with a Ruff and Tuff version of the Grover Washington Jazz Funk classic "Mister Magic" featuring Jamaican Sax Man Dean Fraser. Guitarist Browne's appearance credits include the likes of his father Dennis Brown, as well as Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond and Toots Hibbert.. Produced by Japanese Reggae Legend Hayassen for his label Vortex and signed up on first hearing by Jazz Room Supremo Paul Murphy. If you've got a dancefloor you need these tunes!

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A Jazz Dance Favourite that Jazz Room Records Head Honcho Paul Murphy was hepped to by Brownswood and 6Music Jazz Supremo Gilles Peterson at the 20th Birthday Bash of London's most Underground of Clubs: Shiftless Shuffle. Murphy: "I'd quite forgotten all about it, but when I saw the reaction on the dancefloor it was "Mental Note Time, get on the case for a full investigation and let's see some Vinyl re-issue action!" The head of the original Danish Label, Pick Up Records, later reminded Paul that he was selling the originals in his original Jazz Record Shop "Fusion Records" when the original was released and that he, Peter Littauer, had actually delivered them personally on a trip to London. Synergy in action! The music is a mixture of 100mph Latin Jazz (Girl With Three Faces/747 To Rio/From Dusk Towards Dawn) and Funky Rhodes driven workouts (Travelling/Circles In The Air), plus the vocal pyrotechnics of Hawaiian singer Lei Aloha Moe who guested on two of the tracks.

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Paul Murphy: Jazz Room Records. "The first time I heard this I said "I gotta sign it!" as not only was it featured in one of the maddest and most memorable scenes on one of my favorite TV Shows "Severance" from Apple TV, but it's also on one of my favourite albums anyway, "Nation Time" by Joe McPhee." Takumi Moriya's version Is as funky as it gets and is truly way up there and meeting the high as a kitemark standards of "Defiant Jazz" (What a Niche Genre to be in!) This is going to cause some serious Defiant Jazz Shake on a dancefloor near you! Break out the Maraccas!" A limited vinyl 45 release and it's release number 30 on Jazz Room Records so ultra special.

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2020. Full On Lockdown: Musician Laurence Mason puts together this off the wall idea meshing together two of his biggest musical heroes, Dave Greenfield of the tough 1970's proto-punk band The Stranglers with the oh so cool 1960's jazz of Dave Brubeck. He puts up his demo on Youtube not really expecting much in the way of feedback. And gets ONE MILLION hits. And hundreds of requests for a release. Jazz Room Records Head Honcho Paul Murphy says "Do you wanna record that and release it?"."Affirmative!" The result is this grooving Soulful and Funky Jazz version of "Golden Brown". On the "B" side is a languid and super cool version of "Walking On The Moon", originally by 80's Supergroup The Police. The first release sold 3000 (!) 7-inch singles and got into the Official Vinyl Singles Top 30. (Yes, there's still such a thing!). The latest version of the best selling Jazz Room Release. Now in Blue Splatter Vinyl.

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Another Holy Grail album from Jazz Room Records with Danny Ward & Reality who were the Go To Funky Jazz Band for College and other Hardcore Funk Party gigs in the Mid to late '70's in the Seattle area of the Pacific North West. They didn't just drop covers of the latest Disco or Top 40 hits though but instead took their audiences on a musical trip through the Funkiest and Jazziest sounds of the day featuring cuts made famous by George Benson, Lydia Pense and Coldblood, The Headhunters , Mandrill and many more. This unique recording capturing them live at a midweek gig showcases their style which of which Danny Ward says: "In the summer of 1977 this album was recorded at a club called The Tyee Restaurant and Lounge in Bremerton, Washington State, USA. The night this album was recorded, there was hardly an audience, perfect conditions for making this recording. We played every kind of venue, a lot of Top 40 dance clubs,but our style was to do a lot of soloing, despite the pressure of club owners and agents not to do so much soloing and be so "jazzy". We didn't care, we knew the audience loved us and we were very popular. This was the best group of musicians that i've ever worked with under the name of Danny Ward and Reality."

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indigo jam unit, a Japanese super heavy jazz dance fusion supergroup, are set to release their specially compiled album in the UK for the first time. They are renowned for their unique blend of hard-hitting piano and percussion-driven jazz. Gilles Peterson asked Colin Curtis to start his radio show on Worldwide FM called Jazz Dance Fusion at the beginning of the pandemic in May 2020 and this meant he could introduce underexposed music that he loved. indigo jam unit was a natural fit. Following a conversation with his long-time Jazz Ally Paul Murphy of Jazz Room Records, they both quickly decided that now was the time to unleash some of the best indigo jam unit tracks to the world on an exclusive vinyl-only release. With pounding bass lines, percussive piano breaks, and the distinct addition of two drummers and percussionists, indigo jam unit's sound is truly unique. They have carved a path for emerging bands in the jazz scene of today. The four musicians from Osaka, Japan - Isao Wasano (Drums Percussion), Katsuhiko Sasai (Bass Double Bass), Takehiro Shimizu (Drums), and Yoshichika Tarue (Piano) - take no prisoners with their uncompromising style! Power, passion, drive, and incredible playing - like a lethal force.
From 2006 to 2016, they had a prolific output of albums with single-minded titles: Demonstration, Realism, Collectivity, Pirates, Roots, Independent Rebel, Milestone, Lights, and more - over 17 projects. indigo jam unit embody the same energy as those jazz dance greats like Art Blakey, Dom Um Romao, Stone Alliance, and the like - just uncompromising raw passion!

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Hideo Shiraki travelled to the US from Japan in 1962 and was bowled over by Horace Silver and the Bossa Nova Craze happening at the same time. When he returned to Japan he went straight into the studio and cut this Blue Note inspired Japanese Jazz Masterpiece. With a selection of tunes ranging from the 1940's stylings of "Tico Tico" through to the samba infused "Orfeo Negro" and arriving in Silversville with "Sayonara Blues" Hideo Shiraki has hit all the sweet spots! With sleeve notes translated into English for the first time and laid out in the Blue Note Style this release is going to be seen as a landmark re-issue. A special Vinyl Only release on Jazz Room Records.

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Japanese trio Nautilus, whose name and style was inspired by the great Bob James turn their attention to Gil Scott-Heron's Jazz tribute and turn it into a broken beat masterclass. Coming soon on London Jazz DJ Paul Murphy's must-check Jazz Room records on vinyl seven-inch. On the B side you will find UK underground Jazz Keyboard Surf Queen Jessica Lauren's much admired funkster "Serengeti". Already receiving plays on Gilles Peterson's BBC6 Music and Colin Curtis Latin Jazz Fusion show.

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Eric Ghost is well named as he is indeed a mystery man. A contemporary (and best friend) of 1960's Funky Jazzman Jeremy Steig his self published Private Press albums are much coveted and difficult to obtain and command high prices. This Psychedelic Jazz masterpiece was recorded in 1975 and features Dave Valentin bassist Lincoln Goines in his studio debut as well as Jim McGilveray who went on to record with Paul Horn and The Cult. If you're a fan of The Blues Project "Flute Thing", Paul Horn's more esoteric offerings or indeed the aforementioned Jeremy Steig then this album is for you. The music is intense and demands your attention, it's both Funky and Spiritual from the first note of "Orangeland" to the last notes of the Eastern influenced "Bizarre Bazaar". Eric was involved with the Counter Culture from his time in Morocco in the early 1960's (while serving in the US Army, kind of like a Hip Elvis) until shortly after this album was recorded when under his real name, Richard Barth Sanders he was convicted of LSD Manufacture (he invented the blotting paper method of LSD distribution so could be entitled to say he was the world's first Acid Jazzer) and sentenced to 7 years in a Federal Prison. The album is re-issued with the original cover artwork with the correct track order for the first time.

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A superb Jazz Flavoured Latin Funk Soul album recorded in 1977 by Grammy Award Winning Carlos Franzetti when he was a struggling musician trying to get his first breaks in a tough New York Jazz scene. With a Top Notch grouping including Percussionist Ray Mantilla, Victor Venegas on Bass and Dick Meza from the Tito Puente Orchestra Carlos played all the Keyboards, wrote the numbers and was also responsible for all the arrangements. Released by Guiness Records (No relation to the Drink) and swiftly forgotten Stateside it was picked up by the DJ's in London's early Jazz Dance scene where "Cocoa Funk" became a must have cut, eventually appearing on Soul Jazz Records seminal re-issue series "London Jazz Classics". It also became a hit in Germany after being re-issued on a double vinyl by leading label Sonorama Records. Now available again in its original single album format and sounding as fresh as if recorded yesterday from the opening bars of the jazz inflected cut "Beatriz" via the Worldwide sounds of "Sweet And Low" to the Funky Latin Jazz of the title track "Graffiti". Still changing hands for eye watering sums on collectors sites and now available again for a reasonable sum courtesy of Jazz Room Records.

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Recorded when Johnny Walker was touring Worldwide with Veteran Jazz Star Lionel Hampton in 1982 and originally released on his own Private Press label: Walk On Productions. This neglected underground classic LP has been off the radar since then except for the appearance of "Dipping" on the Kev Beadle ?– Private Collection (Independent Jazz Sounds From The Seventies And Eighties) compilation on BBE Records. Almost unknown and unjustly negected, it's a funk drenched jazz journey with some crunchy fat beats laid down by the excellent rhythm section complementing Johnny Walkers cool horn stylings. Reminiscent of the albums of that early Jazz Dance era by Tom Browne and Rahmlee but with less of a commercial edge and wholly instrumental this is Funky Jazz that has not dated and sounds like it was fresh out of the studio in 2022. Funk all the way on "Dipping" and "Dirkie" while "Arrival" is one for the Jazz Dancers.

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